Southbridge school board puts superintendent on leave

The School Committee last night voted to place Superintendent Eric D. Ely on administrative leave in connection with a complaint the panel received, Chairman Patricia Woodruff said.

The decision was made during an emergency meeting held in executive session at the district’s administrative building on Cole Avenue, the former high school.

Reading from a prepared statement, Ms. Woodruff said the matter is under review by the committee and the school district’s counsel.

Ms. Woodruff said she had no further comment on the complaint.

Terry Wiggin, director of finance and operations, has been appointed temporary acting superintendent pending appointment of an acting superintendent, Ms. Woodruff said.

The chairman declined to elaborate on the nature of the complaint, but she said it had nothing to do with Tuesday night’s meeting, during which two parents complained about bullying in the schools.

Reached by phone last night, Mr. Ely said he was not interested in speaking with a reporter.

School Committee member Scott S. Lazo said he could not comment on the matter.

Mr. Ely has been in Southbridge since 2010, after he agreed to a settlement to leave a similar post in Schenectady, N.Y. In April 2010, that district’s facilities supervisor was convicted of arson and weapons charges and Mr. Ely had been accused of possibly tipping off the facilities supervisor.

This summer, after saying Mr. Ely had told a series of lies, Mr. Lazo sought to relieve Mr. Ely of his duties. But his motion failed, 4-3.